SB 1646 Summary

• Establishes Arizona's "Medical Aid in Dying" law allowing terminally ill adults with capacity to request a prescription for life-ending medication that they self-administer.

• Requires a 15-day waiting period between initial oral request and written request, with both an attending physician and consulting physician confirming the terminal illness diagnosis and the patient's mental capacity and voluntary decision.

• Mandates attending physicians inform patients of their diagnosis, prognosis, medication risks and benefits, and alternative end-of-life care options including comfort care, palliative care, and hospice care before prescribing.

• Protects health care providers from civil, criminal, and professional liability when acting in good faith compliance with the law, while allowing facilities to prohibit participation on their premises if they have notified providers in advance.

• Defines "terminal illness" as an incurable condition that will result in death within six months and requires Arizona residency; establishes criminal penalties for coercion, forgery, or undue influence related to requests.